The Maze Runner - A Film Review

Hello! This week I went to the cinema and got to see The Maze Runner, a film adaptation of the dystopian novel written by James Dashner. 

***Please note, this review may not be completely spoiler free!***

As an avid reader (although my blog fails to show this right now) I found myself in a bit of a dilemma with regards to this film. I hadn't read the book, although the trilogy and its prequel are currently housed on my shelf, yet I knew what the film entailed - to an extent - due to booktubers reviewing the novel and some film reviews. Therefore, I decided perhaps I should find out what I'm missing and go see the film.

I don't know how to feel about doing this.

After seeing the film trailer, which you can find below, I found myself under the belief that it was similar to The Hunger Games trilogy. And I was right in a way. People get randomly chosen and thrown into an arena in The Hunger Games to fight to the death, and in The Maze Runner, they are systematically chosen to be put in the centre of the maze, most likely until death. There's clashes in both, and alliances in both, theres bad guys in both (The Capitol in THG and Grievers in TMR) and somewhat good guys in both. You get the picture.

From the reviews I'd seen, I went into the cinema preparing myself for drama, violence and endless tears. What I got was something else, and I fear that it didn't meet my expectations because they were seemingly high,

The film itself was very fast-paced and you're thrown right into the action. It is as if you're Thomas, without any idea of who you were before waking up in the box. I'm not sure I liked that. However, you see his memory unfold before your eyes and that is something that couldnt really be done if you already knew his past, so its understandable why the film starts with complete mystery. 

So, just as Thomas seems to be settling in nicely, after being attackedand going off into the maze, just three days later the community get a new arrival (which is odd considering they are meant to be once a month) - a girl. Which naturally rocks the community a little. From then on, the film really does pick up pace and before you know it, the end credits are rolling and youre left kind of wanting more, kind of hoping that they dont actually do the sequel. 

However, with the film ending how it did, you kind of need the sequel for closure.

Going in blind to that film, I have to give it an honest review, as I have no book to compare it with. I did enjoy it, although I left with a bad feeling inside me, and I don't know if that was just because it was over, or the film in general, or the final death (which does tug on your heartstrings). Therefore, I am giving the film a hopeful THREE OUT OF FIVE STARS.

The Maze Runner is currently doiing well in box office and is therefore still out in UK cinemas with numerous showings in a day. The trailer I feel is best to make you want to go see the film can be found below!

Have you seen the film or read the book? Either one or the other, or both, or neither? Please let me know what you think below, I read all of your comments and will reply when I can!

Struggling to Finish Books? You are not alone...

OK, so this isnt a 'conventional' blog post that someone who posts reviews would usually post. However, I felt like this was a necessary post considering I'm going through this myself.

Have you ever picked up a book in a shop, or read the summary and reviews or whatever and thought "you know what, this book sounds really good, I'm really looking forward to reading it" and then you get home or get a copy of the book, start reading it and then just stop, for some unknown reason, even if you really enjoy what you're reading? Me too.

It's happening to me right now. My current read (Rivers of Destiny by Barbara Erskine) had so much promise when I picked it up from a charity shop in a city near where I live, and at 50p, I just couldn't resist. I started reading it, and my god I absolutely loved it. And then, I stopped reading it. Just like that. And I have no idea why.

Maybe I couldn't get comfortable. Maybe my mind was doing overtime on a billion other thoughts. I just don't know. One thing I do know however, is that since I put that book down, I haven't really wanted to pick it up. I know I will someday, just not right now.

And thats OK.

Trust me. It's fine. Even if it's something you've never done, or something that goes against what reading means for you, it is fine to put down a book and not pick it up again until you feel ready. Heck, you can even move onto something else in the meantime, it might make you favour that first book once again.

I know for a fact I wont be alone in feeling this way (or at least I hope I'm not!) I guess what I'm trying to say is that if you start a book and don't fancy finishing it right now, dont panic! Curiosity will get the better of you someday. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week, mayebe even next year. It doesnt matter. Just because someone else can finish that book in x amount of hours or days doesnt mean you have to. You abide by your own rules. All I know for a fact is that if I was forcing myself to finish a book, I'd definitely fall out of love with it a little bit more with every page I forced myself to read.


Do you ever feel like this? I'd love to know I'm not the only one! Perhaps you'lve picked up a book and dont really want to finish it, or arent that fussed? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

The Hundred Year Old Man - A Review

The Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared – Jonas Jonasson

First Released: 2009 (English Translation 2012)

I’VE FINALLY FINISHED THIS BOOK AFTERFIVE HARD WEEKS. The need for emphasis on that sentence was important, as this book has given me so many mixed emotions.

When I first began reading this book, I was intrigued. The quotes on the back of the book (beneath the blurb/summary) claimed it was “an incredibly funny story” as well as “hilarious” – just the kind of book I was after to cure the post-holiday blues. However, by the fifth chapter, I already found myself having issues.

*******SPOILERS MAY HAPPEN HERE*********

The chapters jumped from the present day to sections of the main characters life leading up to the time in which the book is set (2005 in case you were wondering). Yes, they had the dates at the start of each chapter, but it bugged me that the chapters about Allan’s (the main character) past were mixed with the modern day ones, and their lengths were much longer than the present chapters. This probably wouldn’t have bothered me as much if I understood their relevance at the time. It also bugged me because the chapters based on the present day were in fact, so much more interesting, and yes, funnier! The journey Allen makes in the present day is something I would love to have had a book on by itself, but with more detail from the perspectives of the other leading characters perhaps.

Another thing I would have appreciated perhaps was a different approach to the telling of the police chase after Allan. This is more so to do with the fact that the police only get mentioned every now and then at the end of the odd chapter until the very end when they want his story, and even then those characters weren’t particularly likeable. But this may be because we didn’t really get the chance to get to know them as well as the other characters.

One of the aspects I did like was the romance that featured in the book. This happened from the moment Benny and the Beauty met, and I absolutely adored the way that Benny acted toward her. It made me reflect on my own relationship and also be really appreciative of what I have. Another relationship that took my by surprise occurred at the end. However, I will not give too much away!!

*****SPOILERS END HERE*****

Overall, I feel that the book could have been improved, and therefore I rate it 3 out of 5. This is because although there were aspects of the book I loved, including the romance and the current day chapters, I ended up skipping sections because they became boring and didn’t seem necessary to the whole book - which is something I try to avoid doing at any cost, but this time, needs must.

IT'S OCTOBER! - Time for an update

Hello!

As it is technically still the first of the month as I type, I've made a decision. At the beginning of every month,, (within the first five days hopefully) I will post an update blog about how my projects are going, or how reading is going, or my vlog, or anything interesting in general that I fancy sharing with you lovely lot on the day! So -  let's get started!

1. I created a Twitter page - please do follow me (@craftsandreads)
2. I have Instagram - @craftsandreads
3. I'm almost finished my current read! (you know, if over 100 pages left is classed as 'almost finished')
4. I've completed my first page of the CutThru cross stitch I'm working on!
5. I actually have a bedroom floor after tidying it, although I don't know how long that is going to last...


I know it's not much, but it's still a blog post and a pretty little update for you all :) please do feel free to comment on the blog letting me know if this is a good idea, I'd really appreciate it!